‘It doesn’t look good’ – Dan Campbell reacts to Georgia Bulldogs product Dan Jackson landing on IR
The Detroit Lions are placing former Georgia Bulldogs star safety Dan Jackson on the injured reserve list with a leg injury.
The Detroit Lions are placing former Georgia Bulldogs star safety Dan Jackson on the injured reserve list with a leg injury that he suffered during Monday’s training camp practice.
When he returns is unclear, but according to Lions head coach Dan Campbell, it won’t be for a while.
“It doesn’t look good,” Campbell told reporters. “We are sending this out to a few more places, but it looks like he is going to be down for a while.”
Jackson, a 2025 seventh-round pick by the Lions, saw action in the Lions’ 34-7 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, where he tied for second in tackles with six.
His injury is extra unfortunate given his journey to the NFL was far from an easy one.
Kirby Smart Said Dan Jackson’s College Football Story is ‘One of the Greatest’
Jackson’s NFL story is one destined for the college football history books.
What sets Jackson apart is that Georgia never recruited the hometown kid back in 2019, and even after earning a full-time starting role, he was never awarded a scholarship.
That’s exactly why Georgia head coach Kirby Smart believes Jackson has what it takes to succeed at the next level.
“This is one of the greatest stories of college football that nobody talks about,” Smart said. “I mean, the guy, he didn’t walk on until we called him. He got in school here and said, ‘Hey, Coach, I would like to play football at Georgia.’ Like we didn’t recruit him. We recruited Ladd McConkey. We recruited these walk-ons. This guy showed up at our doorstep, and as a starter, as a competitor, and blocking field goals. He didn’t have to come back this year. I mean, he came back because he loves this place. He loves Georgia. He don’t do it for him. He don’t do it for money. He’s never asked for anything. I mean, he loves the place.”
In his final year at Georgia, Jackson logged a career-high 64 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Because of his tireless work ethic on and off the field, Smart never once questioned Jackson future at the next level.
“I mean, there’s somebody out there, some fan, and they say, ‘Well, you know, you can do NIL.’ Somebody ought to say, ‘Dan Jackson, I will take care of you for the rest of your life,’ because I promise you, he’ll be the best employee, the best worker. I mean, that’s after his football career,” Smart said. “Because I really believe the guy got a chance to play in the National Football League because he’s fast, he’s tough, he’s smart.”
The hope now is that he heals sooner rather than later to continue writing his unfinished underdog story.
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